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MJ, BJ reunion has laughs, revelations

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By WALT BELCHER

wbelcher@tampatrib.com

Published: October 23, 2009

TAMPA - There were hugs, handshakes, laughs and a dramatic on-air revelation about cocaine abuse at Thursday's reunion of morning radio personalities MJ Kelli and BJ Harris on WFLZ, 93.3 FM.

Harris, whose first name is Barry, hosts a radio show in Denver. He hadn't been back to Tampa since he left in February 2001 - and getting here turned out to be an expensive chore.

A snowstorm in Denver delayed his flight and he missed a connection in Atlanta. Kelli (Todd Schnitt) scrambled to hire a limousine to drive Harris from Atlanta to Tampa at a cost of more than $1,700.

Both men were working on less than three hours sleep when they went on the air to explain the breakup of their popular morning show.

When Harris left there were rumors of clashing egos, but he revealed that his cocaine use had spiraled out of control by 2001.

Harris said talking openly helps him cope. "I am still an addict; I will always be an addict. But I have been clean for about two years now."

He said his cocaine use began in the mid-1990s.

"It got to the point where it was taking away my family from me, my children, my wife and my work," he said.

Attempts at intervention, including 35 days at an addiction center, failed.

"I finally saw the light and decided that if I didn't stop, I would die," he said.

In 2003, he joined KALC, Alice FM, in Denver as program director and later launched a successful morning show.

Kelli, who tried to help his friend get treatment in 2000, said he reached out to BJ about two years ago to rekindle their friendship.

"I felt enough time had passed and he had straightened out his life," he said. "I visited him several times in Denver and we decided that it would be good to clear the air and tell what happened.

"I think his experience might serve as a warning to people and maybe help someone get help."

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654.

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